Preparation

Did your school/college give you any extra tuition or help prior to your interview or application? yes

Advice on reading material, one practice interview.

Do you have any advice for future applicants in terms of preparation?

Don’t underestimate competitiveness of top 5 universities. Be sure you are really good at maths. Do further maths as fourth subject.

Interview

Did you have to sit any pre-interview exams (LNAT/BMAT/..)? no

Did you have to submit any written work prior to the interview? yes

Did you have to take any exams as part of your interview(s)? yes

How was/were in general your interview(s)?

Tough but interesting, need to apply knowlege not just regurgitate facts. No non academic questions.

Please comment further on any particular aspects/topics of your interview(s).

Started with applying difficult further maths concept to economics data. I felt the fact I worked this out without help was a factor in getting an offer.

What questions were you asked during your interview(s)?

Interpreting data about different countries economic data, talking about credit crisis, bit about game theory which was in personal statement. If I didn’t get what they wanted they would hint but didn’t seem to object if you needed help.

What did you wear to your interview(s), and why?

Smart casual.

Impressions

What was your general impression of the college that you applied to/any others you visited?

Beautiful, central, friendly.

If seen, please describe the college accommodation eg. size of rooms, facilities.

More accomodation than you spot when you first visit-rooms near Economics block and across the main road from main courts.

Final stage

Please describe your feelings during the time you waited for the decision.

Worried about the questions I had needed help with. Glad I had done so much extra reading.

Please describe what happened when you received the letter/the call telling you whether you had a place or not.

Relief-knew everyone expected it. Very happy to be going as didn’t really want to go to London.

Looking back

If you were to re-live that year of your life again, would you still apply?

Yes. However, judging from friends if you are from an independent/grammar don’t expect to succeed if you don’t have almost all A* at GSCE, expect at least 2A* at A-level and have say 95% average at AS. Even then don’t assume you will walk it.

What advice do you have for potential applicants based on your experiences?

Read well beyond “armchair economist” and “freakonomics”. Pick an area to specialise in. Read daily paper/economist/blogs regularly. Be sure to revise maths too.

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